Forres to Alford

Description

Where: Scotland - The Cairngorms

How Long: 82 miles

Added: 01 September 2011

82 miles or alternative Forres to Blairgowrie 110 miles.
This is a route for the driver with bends almost all the way and vistas in all directions through the Cairngorms National Park and Strathdon or the alternative route over the Cairnwell into Glenshee.
Sent in by Allan of classicmghighlandcarhire.co.uk

From the park in Forres beside the A96 well known for its award winning flower displays, proceed westward through the town to roundabout.

Take first exit (A940 Grantown-on-Spey) the road climbs steadily with no straights to Dava Moor the only exception being the drop down to cross the river Divie that runs under the road in a deep gorge.

On reaching the junction with the A939 (AA box on the roadside) continue on the A939 through the snow gates and up onto the Dava Moor.

Take care on the bends they can catch out the unwary. On crossing the moor descend into the Cairngorms National Park and on into Grantown-on-Spey through the town square and at the 2nd set of lights take left (A95 Elgin) through the woods to roundabout.

Straight over the roundabout cross the river Spey and after approx 1 mile take a right and continue on the A939 (Tomintoul).

You head straight into open country with vistas all round onward to Bridge 0f Brown its very steep with a tight bend at the bottom where there is a small restaurant. Crossing the Burn of Brown the road then rises steeply again and on to cross the river Avon and so to Tomintoul the highest village in the highlands. Tomintoul has a nice square and the whisky shop on the left just past the square is worth a visit.

At the end of the village take a left (A939 Braemar) and 200 meters turn right still on A939 Braemar on up to the Lecht ski centre. Just past the centre the world is at your feet and the road veers right. Practical Classics said the road is dangerous as you will take your eyes off the road – Beware steep decline! Enjoy the roller coaster descent and at Cock Bridge turn round and go back to the ski centre for another go.

As you descend the last turn into Cock Bridge you will see Corgarff Castle on the right and shortly after can decide whether to continue to Alford or go for the longer trip to Blairgowrie. Decide at the junction of the A939 Braemar and A944 Strathdon.

The A944 through Strathdon follows the river Don and is almost devoid of straights but almost flat following the river and continues on through Strathdon, Glenkindie and past Kildrummie Castle to Mossat.

At junction with A97 take right on A944 (Alford) and continue across the river Don at Bridge of Alford. Take next left still on the A944 to find Alford and journeys end at the Grampian Transport Museum in the town.

For those who wish to go to Blairgowrie at the junction of the A939 and A944 just after Cock Bridge take the A939 to Braemar, this is for much of the way narrow and in places single track with passing places. This is a testing road.

At the junction with the A93 take a right and passing Balmoral Castle and Braemar Castle, the road goes through Braemar and up via Glen Clunie – a long climb – to the Glenshee ski centre and the Cainwell. The road then continues through Glenshee to Blairgowrie. This road is full of tight twists and short inclines. At Blairgowrie you can choose your own onward route.